Telling porkies not the answer

When you know there are hundreds of applicants going for a single job it's tempting to separate yourself from the competition and lie to impress the interviewers. Unfortunately, as companies increasingly check up on references and qualifications, such fibs could help you stand out in a way that you hadn't imagined - with shame and embarrassment.

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's annual recruitment and retention survey, one quarter of employers in the UK withdrew at least one job offer in the last year after discovering someone had lied or otherwise misrepresented their application.

And nearly as many (23%) dismissed someone who was already in post for the same offence.

The good news is you don't need to tell porkies to impress a prospective employer.

1. Aim for balance

"Lying is very common at interview," says Cliff Arnall, a psychologist who helps candidates prepare for interview as well as advising companies on interview process. "But there's a spectrum from slight embellishment right through to falsifying qualifications and hugely exaggerating work experience." Though some people get away with lies, Cliff believes they're a bad idea. Instead he suggests making a positive impression by increasing your confidence at interview. "One way is to address the power imbalance that's inherent in interview situations and see it as an opportunity to interview the company," he says. Not only will this encourage you to think of pertinent and intelligent questions, it will help you feel more in control.

2. Think longer term

We all like to make a good impression but be careful that the 'best self' that you choose to project is not a euphemism for 'invented self'. "You can create an image that's completely false and it may well get you the job," says Cliff. "But ultimately if you find that the post doesn't match who you really are, you're not going to be happy. People get a job and two weeks later they're thinking 'what am I doing here?' The other problem is that if you move too far away from your real self at interview, you're under pressure to behave in that way when you get the job. Work can become a real struggle.

3. Talk with passion

Bringing greater sincerity to the interview is easier if you know exactly what your values and passions are. Understanding what fires you up can lead you to look for roles that are likely to fulfil deeper needs - rather than merely paying you big bucks. Go for jobs that you think you're going to enjoy, Cliff says. It's easier to be enthusiastic about something you really want to do. And every employer just loves enthusiasm.

4. Know your skills

"Generally people lie at interview because they think they don't have enough to offer an organisation," says Maria Lucio, a consultant with Career Psychology. "In our society it's common to focus on mistakes rather than achievements, and frequently individuals fail to give themselves credit for either their achievements or their efforts." She stresses the importance of working out your transferable skills and recognising just how much you have to give.

5. Feel good

It's also important to focus on your achievements outside of the work context. "Think of five things that you're really proud of. Remember five occasions when you felt great about yourself," urges Maria. "Consider what makes you feel good in a more general way." Maybe you like to help people out or make them laugh.

Concentrating on this will help you to feel that you have value beyond your role as a worker and company commodity. "It's important to draw on your achievements on a regular basis," says Maria, "so you can work yourself up into a positive state of mind prior to an interview." That's critical. "Negativity is contagious. If you go into any situation miserable, you're more likely to make other people miserable." Not something you want to do to your interviewer.

6. Get feedback

"It's essential to get feedback after the interview," says Cliff. "If you don't, the mental demons will begin raising their ugly heads." It can help deal with the inevitable rejection. Consider job hunting as a process rather than feeling each job application could lead you to your final destination. As long as you're learning something from each interview - even if it's just how to relax more - that's a really positive thing. Keep your spirits up by taking the view that the company and you are not well matched. It's more helpful than believing you were rejected because you're completely useless.

In other words, keep things in perspective and you won't feel obliged to jazz yourself up to the point where you're living a lie.